News Copy, New York

Chris Gibson Announces For 20th Congressional: Highly Touted Army Colonel Gets Big Welcome

No sooner had retired U.S. Army colonel Chris Gibson stepped back on American soil this week, he was announcing to run against Democrat Scott Murphy in the 20th Congressional District.

Republicans have a crowded field in the 20th but Gibson has been put forth as an immediate favorite, in addition to being boosted by fellow Kinderhook native John Faso.

Gibson reflects a trend News Copy is following with many candidates running for Congress; military or defense department experience abounds from the 17th to the 20th Congressional districts.

The Albany Times Union reported that Gibson only retired from a 24-career in the Army last week.

"I've fought hard for this country, and now I'm ready to fight hard for all of the citizens of the 20th District," Gibson announced Saturday afternoon during a homecoming party at the Winding Brook Country Club.

Three other Republicans candidates vying for the seat are David Harper, Queensbury Supervisor Dan Stec and Patrick Ziegler.

The Catskill Daily Mail out of Greene County gave Gibson a hero's welcome and a sense of high drama.

"He’s a Kinderhook native. He was point guard and co-captain of the Ichabod Crane High School basketball team. He rose to the rank of colonel in the U.S. Army, was deployed seven times overseas and now Republican Chris Gibson has come home to run for office against Rep. Scott Murphy in New York’s 20th Congressional District.?

Candidates in the Hudson Valley with military or defense department backgrounds including Rockland County resident and Bronx-native Anthony Mele, who is considering a run against Eliot Engel in the 17th, Westchester resident Mark Rosen who is planning a run against Nita Lowey in the 18th and Orange County native Kristia Cavere, who is forming an exploratory for a run against John Hall in the 20th.

And Marine Corps veteran Kieran Lalor, who ran two years ago against John Hall in the 19th, is an Iraq veteran who has formed an organization called Iraq Vets For Congress.

GOP Primary Certain In New York's 19th: Nan Hayworth Continues Attacking McFadden

A five candidate Republican primary is forming in New York's 19th Congressional District.

It's not too different from the four candidate candidate in Long Island's 1st and and the two man wrestling match in Brooklyn-Staten Island's 13th.

Congressional candidate Nan Hayworth has a lot of company in this race.

The Mount Kisco native also has a lot to say about one of her opponents, Republican David McFadden from Orange County.

"Mr. McFadden has never voted in a Republican primary, and according to the
New York State Board of Elections, is not a registered Republican.  New York
State law requires that candidates be a member of the party in order to vote
for themselves in a primary.

Mr. McFadden anouncement today leaves me wondering if he is aware of New
York State Election law, and I am also curious if Mr. McFadden has paid the
most recent of several tax liens filed against him by the State of New
York."

-Jay Townsend, spokesperson for Dr. Nan Hayworth

So it looks as if Nan Hayworth isn't angling for the independent vote in this election.

Jay Townsend is her man behind the curtain.  He's an able and successful political consultant.  I have worked with him, for him and he has shown up to help my friends put out a few fires over the years.  Townsend's also good at starting them, both when he worked for Democrats and Republicans, so the body politic here is fascinating.

McFadden's campaign has been patient and so are the other candidates who have felt stung by Hayworth supporters in recent days.  It also seems more than apparent that Hayworth, Inc. is taking aim at taking down News Copy -- killing the messenger -- but we're sorry to report that Bob Fois is not running for Congress.

And I am not working for any candidate in this race, at least not yet (and will disclose if that happens).

It wouldn't make a difference anyway.  This is a free country and I'm free to help or support or ponder or criticize or comment on any candidate I want ... within reason.  No fires being set here though.  Gosh ... I just finished criticizing my friend Rob Astorino in the prior column.  News Copy will never be a mutual admiration society.

News Copy finally caught up with Tom DeChiaro yesterday and enjoyed his candor.  DeChiaro an articulate and civic-minded type who could surprise the Hudson Valley this summer.  Also, Kristia Cavere has begun to aggressively campaign (and raise money) -- and Neil Di Carlo struck most of our counterparts as a gentleman.  All appear ready with access to money.  All appear articulate and willing to put forth a campaign.

I guess the point I am making is that the 19th is steeped in quality candidates.  May the best man or woman win.  There's no need to rush the timetable and voters should be given an adequate chance to meet and hear all of them.  Perhaps it is Hayworth's anxiety to slam the political barn door shut so early that has so many observers nervous.

It would be a shame if negative energy turned what otherwise would be a rousing triumph for Republicans into a gutter battle in the 19th.  But the same scenario is being repeated all over New York, and undoubtedly all over the United States.

Five well-funded Republicans, four pro-life, two from Orange County, two from Putnam County and one from Westchester all want to challenge two-term incumbent Democrat John Hall.

Frankly, it all has started to resemble the pile-on in New York's 20th last year -- that weakened Jim Tedisco's candidacy against Scott Murphy.  It won't be too different from the three-way shooting match in 23rd last year that found a liberal Republican endorsing a Democrat over a Conservative.

Putnam County Tony Scannapieco acknowledged that all political committee chairs have never seen so many eager Republicans stepping to the plate as candidates.  Scannapieco is a wise and weathered chair who knows all about competition in his home county, one of the fastest growing places in New York.

The Putnam chair reminded a crowded in Putnam Valley at that GOP committee's St. Patrick's celebration what happened last year in the 20th and the 23rd.  Scannapieco wasn't shooting down the idea of a primary but he cautioned how critically important it would be for all Republicans to pull behind the nominated and/or eventual candidate in any election -- whether it be for State Senate, Assembly or Congress.

I am paraphrasing but Scannapieco basically said it would be a good idea if GOP candidates played well with others and worked as team players when all was said and done.

Primaries are good and primaries are bad, if handled the wrong way.

The warnings of the 20th and 23rd are still with us -- and must be heeded.

Westchester County Executive Reads Fiscal Riot Act: New York Suburb Faces Shortfalls

Due to mismanagement and waste by the prior Democrat regime, newly elected Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino finds himself with a $166 million deficit to figure out.

The Journal News reported Astorino announcing a first round of budget cuts.

"Basically we're looking at a structural problem in county government," Astorino said. "In the past, what has happened is we have used one-shots and rosy projections to get to where we are, and it's just continuing to kick the can down the road.

"Well, the day has come where that can is no longer able to be kicked," the county executive said. "We have to deal with reality, and we will deal with a responsible budget starting in 2011."

Andy Spano's math was off by ... $110 million, hiding the true depth of Westchester's municipal shortfall.

This is the Democrats' fault.  Please don't make it the Republicans' fault.

Astorino can start by not giving anyone raises.

Double-Standard?

Rightful criticism is being laid at his door by the news media for giving two high-level staffers an $18,000 jump in salary.  It's being rationalized as right-sizing.

The Journal News noted that the Astorino administration's 28 staffers are far fewer than the 42 that former County Executive Andrew Spano had, which translates into a payroll that's $1.2 million lower.

George Oros, Astorino's chief of staff, explained that those numbers don't include Astorino's elimination of a security detail, a roughly $400,000 operation.

With a trimmed staff, Oros said, workers, particularly senior managers, have taken on more duties, and that's reflected in a different organization structure.

"This isn't about raising people's salaries after two months. The idea is to run a lot leaner with a lot less people," Oros said. "We're reducing staff by 30 percent, and we're reducing the money by 30 percent."

There are no jobs, job-seekers are being told, yet people are being hired.  There is no money, the public is being told, yet raises are being given.  No one is buying the reasoning.  It was a public relations nightmare caused by giving two public relations gurus hefty salaries.

Keep in mind that some of Astorino's critics with The Journal News might as well be working for the Democratic National Committee.  Also keep in mind that the pay increases drew the discontent of fellow Republicans too, so this commentary isn't coming out from under a rock.

After he takes back the salary increases, Astorino can follow by significantly lowering the salaries of every new hire he has made since starting as Westchester County Executive in January.

No Tax Increase

The good news from Astorino is that he is resolved not to allow any tax increase in Westchester, reported the Associated Press.

The bad news is that the Democrats control the Westchester County Board of Legislators -- and a majority of those liberal Democrats would embrace an estimated 30 percent tax hike to cover the projected deficit.

These County Board Democrats lied about the deficit, misrepresenting the shortfall by over $110 million, but where were the Republicans aggressively holding them accountable.  The Journal News noted that Democrats are also also lifting salaries and adding jobs in the legislative branch.

"The county board, by a 9-6 vote, also approved a reshuffling of its own staff that creates several positions, including a chief of staff, eliminates others and sets pay ranges for those jobs. Critics, including the six legislators who voted against it, said those ranges are too high."

And these lawmakers wonder why people want to eliminate county government entirely?

There is no easy way to downsize the Westchester County Government.  It is one of the largest munipical operations in the country, in the world.  Westchester has been either the highest taxed county in the United States or close to it, as reported by The New York Times.

Astorino first aims to eliminate $16 million in spending this year. Among the short-term measures are:

• Cut $5.8 million from the Department of Social Services by better management of foster care and other measures.
• Cut $1.37 million from the Department of Transportation by eliminating bus service to New York City and other steps.
• Cut $1.6 million from the parks department by leaving 20 positions vacant, closing the pool at Croton Point Park and having a delayed opening at the Rye Playland amusement park.
• Cut $905,000 from public safety by not filling vacancies and redeploying officers to reduce overtime costs in the department.

Layoffs are likely.  Salary cuts for non-union employees are a must, starting with the 9th floor where Astorino's few staff (the Republican was left with no discernable budget) and the bureaucratically-entrenched remains of former Westchester County Executive Andy Spano's staff collect lucrative salaries (yes, they're still there).  To be fair, not all the new Republican hires are flush with big salaries -- but anyone making $100,000+ on the public dole in today's current economic climate shouldn't be accepting a raise or a higher salary.

Spano was even getting friends and political allies jobs in the Westchester County Courthouse last month, through his buddy Alan Scheinkman, administrative judge and former Westchester County Democratic Party chair.

But the region's daily newspaper, a Gannett publication, won't focus on these details.  The Journal News cozying up to liberal Democrats, as if they were members of the Internationale, is part of the reason Westchester County is in such debt.  The local daily newspaper never raised a cause for alarm over years of over-spending and careless budgeting by greedy Democrats riding high on an inflated economy.

Hucksters, Inc.

Meanwhile, Astorino has made a big mistake giving his paid huckster and the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant's former paid huckster 18% raises.

There is no justification to give a communications director a larger salary than legislative or budgetary staffers, let alone a raise.  To say he will be a part of "policy" decisions, when there are hundreds of qualified people who will work for half his salary is failing to acknowledge the deflation that must accompany any downsizing of county government.

It's also failing to acknowledge a lot of young hungry talent all over the tri-state area, not to mention those who have been laid off and a larger generation of retirees who can do these jobs in their sleep -- for half or two-thirds the salary.

By the way, the news media knows where the county building is located.  Hiring a six-figure staffer to remind them that county government exists is municipal masturbation.  The "advance" and public information patronage who shamelessly self-promoted Westchester County Government since the days of Al DelBello and Andy O'Rourke doesn't have a place in modern government operations anymore.

As for Westchester's economic development czar being given a raise less than a month into the job, how about tying his salary to the actual business he brings into Westchester ... or retains ... as in measurable new employers and keeping employers (along with small businesses) from closing shop or leaving the county?

More damaging is the man's former employer.  Entergy.  How many more years of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant cabal influencing policy -- under different incarnations and corporate control -- does this county have to endure?  Whether the culprit is the New York Power Authority or Con-Edison or any number of top-heavy influence-peddling donors, no one is fooled by how this hire came to pass.

And Rob Astorino as an "everyman" candidate has to be careful he does not come across as an inside man.  It hurts his fellow Republicans.  It hurts the mission of reform.  It sends the wrong message to taxpayers.

Columist Phil Reisman, a steadfast advocate of Astorino's fiscal reform, noted that things are tough all over --- and probably about to get much worse for any elected official catching voter wrath.

"I may have more to say in future columns about County Executive Rob Astorino's political misadventure last week with the $18,000 salary adjustments for two key members of his inner circle — the raises that weren't raises.

But for now, the reality is that anybody who is scraping by on unemployment checks, sees them only as insensitively contrived boosts in pay.

Astorino told me that he personally called back several angry constituents to explain his case, a gesture which, if it says nothing about his integrity, surely indicates his fear of losing his mandate as the fiscally conservative answer to Andy Spano.

Fortunes turn very quickly when people are scared."

Reisman made the point more diplomatically than this column.  It's tough love telling Rob Astorino that his "misadventure" won't be received well.  People are scared.

Full disclosure:  News Copy is a steadfast advocate of Mr. Astorino too.

We just won't condone the Emperor's Clothes Syndrome with someone we know and love.

What has unwound here is shameful, stupid and too typical of an isolated administrative environment where someone has to speak up and say "no" to those lobbying for sweetheart salaries.  If they don't like the pay cuts, there are an estimated 500 or more highly qualified people who eagerly helped with Astorino's transition who would be more than happy to take the positions.

Political Pushback

The challenges for Astorino are not just the unions.  It could be his own inner circle, who will either be his own worst enemy or heroes who make the necessary sacrifices.

The pushback on Astorino's raises has impacted morale in the GOP but no one wants to say it too loudly.  It has altered the perception of Astorino, perilously so.  Finally, it has left some partisans vulnerable and that includes many well-intended Conservatives struggling to reform their own party.  That includes people running for the all-important New York State Senate, Assembly and Congress who know must endure the rage of taxpayers on the campaign trail -- because someone in Rob Astorino's office thought it wise to keep "competitive" salaries.

At least Astorino finally read the fiscal riot act.

As has been shown in D.C. with Republicans there, not all members of Reagan's party understand how desperately the voters are craving for tax relief and reform.  A critical lynchpin to Republican success statewide, as goes Westchester so will all of New York.

Rob Astorino understands the fiscal crisis but there are measurable concerns that some around him don't grasp the tipping point.  Why would they?  They have a job -- and they're getting raises.

As for the $166 million deficit, first reported by Andy Spano as a $50 million shortfall, the Democrat lied to the people of Westchester.  He owes the county an apology and he should quit walking around like Boss Tweed finding jobs for his corrupt buddies.

Memo to Rob Astorino:  This is the Democrats' fault.  Please don't make it the Republicans' fault.

Ed Koch To The Rescue: Former New York City Mayor Wants Incumbents Out

Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch says he take on the problem of incumbency in New York State.

But will he do it with Conservatives and Republicans?

Probably not.  At least Koch is making some noise.

The New York Post rejoiced, "Go get 'em, Ed" ...

Koch told the Post that the problem is the quality of the Empire State's political leadership:

"The good ones [aren't] good enough, and the bad ones are evil."

Will Koch go upstate or into the suburbs of Westchester and Long Island to take on those Democrats?

I personally trust Koch's intentions but a New York City centric approach to reform won't solve the problem. 

Koch needs to see down with former Republican leaders like former Westchester and State GOP Chairman Tony Colavita -- or seek out John Faso with New Yorkers For Growth upstate and New York State Conservative Chairman Mike Long.

This has to be a bipartisan reform effort, not some uber-liberal shine on the Democrats that heralds in Andrew cuomo without analyzing where ALL the political bodies are buried -- in BOTH major parties.

The Post acknowledged that the good government "goo-goos" come with their own systemic issues:

"And while a number of goo-goo groups have expressed interest, it's not clear they can even agree on what a "reform agenda" should constitute.

"Moreover, some of those groups, officially nonpartisan, say they can't get involved in a partisan election campaign."

Non-partisan also tends to be liberal code for passive and politically correct.

The New York Times asked: Who Can Clean Up Albany? Koch and Company Will Try ...

“We certainly are interested in the reform agenda,” said Blair Horner, legislative director of the nonpartisan New York Public Interest Research Group, “but we couldn’t be part of any agenda that’s designed to knock off incumbents.”

Self-defeatist posturing, at its most sleepy and ineffective.

The Times reported that Koch, a Democrat, has invited the following good government groups to join him:

Citizens Union, New York Civic, Common Cause, the Urban League, the Hispanic Federation, the League of Women Voters and the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School.

No Manhattan Institute?  No New Yorkers For Growth?  No Rethinking Westchester Government?  No Business Council of New York State?

Of course not ... how dare the liberals admit that Republicans actually have some populist and constructive ideas.

The good news is that most of those incumbents Koch would take on are ... Democrats ... so it's a rather interesting double-edged sword the former New York Mayor could wield.

Gothamist: Former Mayor Ed Koch Plans Coup To Retake Albany ...

Koch wants to plant a few seeds, target the right incumbents, and prompt a sea change in Albany.

"It's possible that the defeat of a few will turn the others into reformers." Though only 39 incumbents have lost in elections since 1982 and more than half who ran in 2008 won by more than 80 percent of the vote, Koch says now is the time for action: "There will never be for another 100 years the same kind of environment that we have today that would help us succeed: that is, the disgust people have toward Albany."

The Village Voice noted skeptically perhaps:  Ed Koch Generously Offers to Save New York State ...

"Billionaire Tom Golisano did something like this in 2008, mainly with money, and we saw how that went: He ended up praising the Albany Coup that is part of what's bugging Koch. Koch is an infinitely better public servant, though, and is offering goo-goo pressure (and, who knows, maybe some funny expletives), not cash bribes. And he's taken down crooks before, though that was years ago."

And the good government groups, Albany-style, have their own agenda.

When they join happily with the conservative good government groups, many of us in the conservative and tea party community will be convinced this is the real deal.

Don't hold your breath.

News Copy looks forward to sitting down with Ed Koch and asking him to speak up in Westchester County.

While New York Burns, Sheldon Silver Plays His Fiddle: Albany Ruled By Political Boss

Sheldon Silver runs New York State.  He's the last man standing,

If he can suggest who else controls New York's fiscal and legislative agenda, the Assembly Speaker is more than welcome to submit a name or two.

Andrew Cuomo's first challenge, if he runs for governor, will be to counter Silver's stranglehold on state government.

Governor Andrew Cuomo cannot allow himself to be pushed around by the Manhattan liberal who rules New York State.  This will be the breakout moment for Cuomo, if the next governor is Cuomo.

This guest essay by Pat Burke in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle described Silver as the "last man standing" from Albany's infamous "three men in a room" (not to be confused with "the three amigos" or "three blind mice").

"How does the speaker maintain his power? Is it good for New York to have one person have this much power? What benefit does the speaker derive from his position of power? Former Sen. Joe Bruno and Govs. Paterson and Spitzer seemed fine until their worlds blew up."

It's Tammany Hall like politics.

It's an autocratic system, with rules that trap people.  It's a legislative chess game.  It's time to break many of those rules and stop playing chess in Albany.

The New York Post called Sheldon Silver "The Shadow King" ...

No matter what happens to Paterson, the Assembly Speaker is running New York.

Only if we let him.

“He is one of the wiliest, smartest people in politics,” says one Democratic strategist who’s known Silver for more than 30 years. “He knows the levers of power.”

“He has no ideology,” adds a senior Albany pol who served with Silver in the Assembly. “I don’t think he really feels strongly about anything. He loves the fight — he loved fighting with [Gov. George] Pataki. It’s about power, and I think he has total power. I can’t imagine anyone challenging him.”

The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reminded people to keep an eye on Silver's realm, the State legislature.

They noted how Ed Koch is forming a good government coalition to challenge incumbents.

Koch knows all too well what these fights entail.  His reform Democrats took down a modern incarnation of Tammany in Manhattan during the mid-1960s.

When do they reform Democrats finally sit down with the Republicans and Conservatives to make this a political war with some teeth?

Republicans won't do it alone.  Conservatives need to be heeded.  Conservatives were putting forge tea parties before there were tea parties, 50 years ago.  When Republicans and Democrats take these reformers seriously, maybe New York's problems will finally be addressed.

In the meantime, Mr. Silver is playing a neat and powerful game of divide and conquer between regions.  New York City is pitted against suburban Westchester and Long Island.  Westchester and Long Island battle among themselves.  Upstate is leveraged by bosses in both parties.

At the end of the day, Silver's urban coalition rules.  Blame the bosses on Long Island and perhaps at times in Westchester for failing to drop the political expediency many years ago.  Blame Joe Bruno and an upstate coalition that toyed with reforms, only to be devoured by their own excess before, during and after George Pataki.

And since it is happening to Democrats in the Executive Chamber, the last question is for Andrew Cuomo.

How are you going to change things, Governor Cuomo?

Poll Shows New Yorkers Embarassed To Call Themselves New Yorkers: Paterson Staying As Governor?

There's a word to describe what New York State David Paterson is doing, remaining in office amid the effluvium.

New Yorkers are burnt out on scandal.

The polls show something else.  New Yorkers are burnt out on New York (USA Today).

USA Today reported on a Siena Poll that found a majority of New Yorkers so ashamed by the latest scandals at the state Capitol that they are embarrassed to call themselves New Yorkers.

The poll found that seventy percent of voters agreed that New York has never been more dysfunctional, and by a 54% to 41% margin, voters also say that what's going on in Albany makes them "embarrassed" to call themselves New Yorkers.

But 71% would rather see David Paterson remain as governor than see him impeached by the State legislature.

55% don't Paterson to resign.

The Albany Times Union noted that this doesn't mean New Yorkers like David Paterson (his negatives jumped aother  ten points).

This might be a gestalt moment for the Empire State.  Strategically and psychologically, perhaps campaigns and candidates should prepare themselves for an election cycle where voters don't want the usual scandal-ridden dirty laundry hanging around on the front page.

Also, with national statistics showing a drastic increase in applications for unemployment, what may also be unfolding here is a natural need for people to see some stability.

The issue here is chaos, too much of it.

In our line of work, political spinmasters usually thrive on this nonsense -- but methinks we're headed for a period of caution.  This doesn't put down the tea parties or THAT restless.  It's just a sense that politicians won't be tolerated if they resort to mud-slinging.

The problem is that New York State is about to get worse; ethically with its elected officials (and appointed officials) along with painful fiscal shortfalls that could have school districts up in arms any day now.

The latter is the measurable crisis.  It's being felt already in every school district across New York.  It is about to get much worse.

Tipping point?  Breaking point?  More like an earthquake with bigger aftershocks.

Paterson staying as governor?

The State Legislature is already negotiating with Richard Ravitch -- or at least they're begging for him.  Why not?  He already gave us the MTA Payroll Tax.

The Siena Poll released today also found that a majority of New York believe Andrew Cuomo will conduct a
fair and impartial investigation of the Governor and his staff, although two-thirds of voters would prefer to see
the investigation conducted by an independent, outside prosecutor.

Here is last week's Marist and Quinnipiac polls.

So Paterson stays?

I don't think so.

David McFadden Declares For 19th Congressional: Orange County Will Have Two Candidates

Former Tuxedo Mayor David McFadden is in.

McFadden joins Nan Hayworth as formally declared in the race for the 19th Congressional.  Stressing a fiscal conservative message of tax relief and job creation, McFadden made his announcement in Tuxedo on Saturday.

Also in the race is Neil Di Carlo of Southeast in Putnam County.  Yorktown resident Tom DeChiaro has indicated to local Republicans that he will enter the race, as will Orange County native Kristia Cavere.

Enter Cavere

Just when one thought political dirty laundry had found its bottom in New York, the 19th features a candidate being ruthlessly kicked around before she even steps onto the campaign trail.

Kristia Cavere's entrance into the race has long been anticipated but was given an abrupt push this weekend when a Nan Hayworth supporter included Cavere's name in a derisive "hit piece" about four of the five candidates in the 19th.

You might say Cavere was handed a political baptism by fire in the harshest way one could imagine.  This Orange County Republican was treated to some cruel (and inaccurate) blogging by an anonymous blogger who appears from all descriptions to at least be a self-appointed Hayworth surrogate.

Welcome to politics, Ms. Cavere.

Cavere's credentials include a stint in the Pentagon and a background as a financial analyst in the healthcare industry.  Already being warmly received by Republican and Conservative leaders, she is expected to formally declare an exploratory committee in the coming week.  Articulate and already well-written as a conservative columnist, Cavere could provide an intellectual edge to the battle for the 19th.  More important, this pro-life tea party conservative Republican could attract sorely needed national money to New York's Hudson Valley.

Battle lines are now drawn on both sides of the Hudson.

No Comment

Amazingly, Hayworth has not distanced herself from the negative piece -- which also takes knocks at McFadden, Di Carlo and DeChiaro.  Also, it has been described as payback against the Conservative and pro-life community for what Hayworth supporters have repeatedly derided as mischaracterizations of Hayworth profiting from an abortion clinic run by her husband.

McFadden's registration has been called to question by Hayworth's campaign.  Hayworth's self-appointed surrogate takes aim at Di Carlo's recent Republican registration and his voting record.  DeChiaro, a Catholic University professor and a winery owner, is knocked down for being a "bar owner" and voting for Democrats.

Mr. Anonymous seems to have no tolerance for independents, Democrats or Conservatives.

Kristia Cavere's background in defense and strategic studies is ignored by the phantom blogger.  Instead, Hayworth, Inc. tries to make her look like a casual blogger and a recent college graduate (Cavere has a Masters in Defense and Strategic Studies).

Of course, no one can prove that Hayworth's fingerprints are on the attack blog but it mirrors the m.o. of her campaign -- and past campaigns by her handlers.  There is no public comment yet by Hayworth.

Abortion Clinic?

Meanwhile, News Copy is slowly gathering a startling amount of evidence that now suggests a far greater volume of abortions at the Mount Kisco Medical Group than previously acknowledged.  Also, past statements by both Hayworth and her husband could cast a credibility gap -- since glaring contradictions are now evident.

With four pro-life candidates in the race, a more serious question could be raised by Conservatives in five counties who want a legitimate conservative Republican in the race.

Finally, the underbelly of resistance to Nan Hayworth's candidacy defies explanation but she does remain the only candidate so far effectively barnstorming the entire district.  That might change in a few days but $519,000 goes a long way to securing a nomination -- even with an abortion clinic in tow.

It's a race now, a full-fledged primary, and we are hearing that the gloves could be off in a few days.

Hit Piece Attacking Hudson Valley Republicans Done For Nan Hayworth: New York's 19th Congressional Gets Dirty

No one will take responsibility for the following missive attacking most of the Republican field in New York's 19th Congressional District.

It conveniently discredits every Republican but Nan Hayworth.

The hit piece was released on AppalledAtHall.com, an anonymous website that goes after incumbent Democrat John Hall.

Now this messenger is going after every other Republican vying to challenge Hall, except Nan Hayworth.

Mr. Appalled claims to have no horse in the race.  The anonymous one claims no association with a candidate.  News Copy has already caught the ire of this creep, so we saw this coming ... to some extent.

As a political analyst and consultant who has been writing columns on campaigns for nearly 25 years, including working on Republican campaigns for over 40 years, I make it a habit to openly disclose my line of work.  I use my real name on blogs.  If I like a candidate, I say so.  I have no horse in this race (not yet) but I'm entitled to my informed opinion -- as is Mr. Anonymous.

Now the argument will be put forth that this hit piece for Nan Hayworth was not authorized by Nan Hayworth.  That's bunk.  Ms. Hayworth can distance herself from the attack by http://www.appalledathall.com.  She can condemn its bias.  We're waiting.  Her handlers and everyone close to her know what has transpired here.

Turning a blog designed to go after a liberal Democrat into a tool to undermine Republicans in a primary is counter-productive for the GOP.

Is it any wonder why people shy away from running for public office --
when the attacks start before a person enters a race?

Hiding any connection to a campaign or political party operation doesn't help Hayworth.  It doesn't help the Republican Party either.

 

Is it any wonder why people shy away from running for public office -- when the attacks start before a person enters a race?

 

What bothers me more about this cruel blogging is that it reminds of the primaries for this congressional seat in 1994 and 1996.  Back then, it was Sue Kelly's political damage masters digging up dirt on each of her opponents.  Almost every candidate in those two election cycles walked away with wounds.  The extent of the treachery stretched down within the Beltway, with Speaker Newt Gingrich literally hiring private investigators to damage House members.

 

I have dug my own dirt on opponents.  I know this sword well.  However, four candidates so obsessively torn apart with such dishonest "spin" was not the work of an amateur.  This was done by a professional campaign consultant.   This was crafted by a hired political gun.  This sort of expensive backstabbing is getting tiresome.

 

Also, and more important, there is well-researched and documented opposition research and rhetorical barbs that border on Clintonesque double-speak.  This website went for the jugulars of four new candidates without any consideration for balance or detail.  It was -- plain and simple -- a hit piece.

 

The Republican Party in the Hudson Valley, New York and nationally deserves better.

New York Conservatives Want DioGuardi Against Gillibrand: Other Republicans Toy With U.S. Senate Race

Former Congressman Joe DioGuardi was in Putnam County yesterday afternoon campaigning for Republican support.

The Westchester Republican just finished a two week barnstorming of upstate New York where he secured te endorsements of over a dozen county Conservative chairs.  The inside word is that DioGuardi can secure the Conservative line.  The respected fiscal conservative is working for early support by meeting with leaders across the state.

DioGuardi also met with all-important Suffolk Conservatives last week and was well-received.

But this won't be a done deal with Republicans, who are divided between Al D'Amato's candidate in the race -- Bruce Blakeman -- and their own favorites. 

The New York Daily News reported on the list of Republicans floating their names against Gillibrand.

Now gone is Mort Zuckerman, the well-known and outspoken newspaper publisher who toyed with the idea for a few weeks.  Joining Blakeman as openly declared has been David Malpass, who has the support of John Faso's New Yorkers For Growth. Faso's fundraising arm certainly could provide a boost for any candidate his organization supports.

Also indicating an interest in this race had been Orange County County Executive Ed Diana and now Rockland County Executive Scott Vanderhoef.

The New York Post and Daily News reported on former Bush advisor Dan Senor considering a run against Gillibrand.

DioGuardi will formally announce March 16th in Grand Central Station.

Support For New York Governor Drops 25 Points In 48 Hours: Quinnipiac Poll Showing Paterson The Door

Second Quinnipiac poll in three days shows New York State Governor David Paterson with the support of only 46 percent of voters who say he should remain in office.

It was 61 percent three days ago.

The New York Daily News reported the sudden drop in support.

"That is the lowest approval rating ever recorded for an elected official in the Q poll's 18-year history, except for ex-New Jersey Sen. Robert Torricelli and ex-President George W. Bush, who were at 19 percent and 18 percent, respectively, just before leaving office."

The March 3rd numbers indicated high negatives.

... Voters say 61 - 25 percent that an independent prosecutor, not Cuomo, should investigate allegations that the Paterson administration interfered in a case of possible domestic abuse. Support for an independent prosecutor is strong across party lines.

"New York State voters give Gov. David Paterson big negatives, his lowest ever in a year-long crash dive, but they're not ready to pull the trigger," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"Whether it's mercy, pity or a fear of stepping into the unknown, it runs across all the demographic categories." Now sources are saying Paterson could be out the door today, without a press conference.

Ann Marie Buerkle Nominated By Republicans In NY-25: 49th State Senate Too Close To Call

Central New York Republican Commitees met last night to endorse their congressional and state legislative candidates.

Ann Marie Buerkle, highly touted by Conservatives, secured the nomination for the 25th Congressional over well-funded Mark Bitz.  Conservatives came away disappointed in the 49th State Senate District, where Republican leaders remained undecided between Andrew Russo and Dan Liedka in at least two counties.

Syracuse News 9 reported on former Syracuse Common Councilor Ann Marie Buerkle being endorsed by the Republican Party to run in the 25th district congressional race. Buerkle, an Auburn Native, currently works as an assistant state Attorney General.

News 10 Now reported on the deadlock in the 49th State Senate District between Russo, who has been endorsed by New York State Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long, and Liedka.

The Syracuse Post-Standard reported on what is starting to look like a primary.

"I fully expect to be (the) Republican nominee for the state Senate this November," Fayetteville pianist Andrew Russo said in a statement.

But John DeSpirito III, chairman of the Onondaga County Republican Committee, said initial tallies appear to favor East Syracuse Mayor Dan Liedka.

"As it stands now, it's probably Dan Liedka," DeSpirito said today.

Two days later, it still isn't settled.

Liedka only took Madison County.   Russo won Onondaga and Cayuaga county GOP committees.  Oneida County hasn't voted yet.

As it stands now, it is Russo -- especially with Conservative committee support and an endorsement of Mike Long where he made it clear that Russo would be run as a candidate in November by his party.

“It’s become very apparent to me that all four counties involved in this in the Conservative Party have closed ranks about Andrew Russo,” state Chairman Michael Long said in a telephone interview this morning. “All three (Republican) candidates are all very good candidates. But I take my signals very clearly: Andrew will be the Conservative Party candidate for the 49th Senate District.”

State Senate insiders and some county chairs have at times seemed liked they were trying to shoe a square into a circle with some races.  It partly explains why Republicans lost control of the State Senate and have lost races like last year's 23rd Congressional race.

Ironically, some GOP leaders roused Doug Hoffman's populist rise -- simply by rejecting him -- and News Copy is being told that they are the same characters rejecting Russo.

Republicans aren't learning their lesson.  They are due to get spanked again, somewhere in New York State.

Other coverage by the Syracuse Post-Standard noted that Mark Bitz may have been well-funded but Onondaga and Madison County Republicans endorsed the Conservative-backed Buerkle in the 25th.  Bitz, who had won Cayuga County, is mulling a primary.

This scenario is being repeated all over the state, a tug-of-war between Republicans over conservative and liberal candidates -- with the Conservative Party often being the tipping point in most of the races.

Given the feelings of tea party activists throughout the state, the breaking point will be conservative issues -- whether moderate and liberal Republicans like this grass-roots movement or not.

Massa Drops Out Of Race For 29th: Upstate New York Rep. Facing Allegations Of Sexual Harassment

Upstate New York Congresman Eric Massa won't be running for re-election in the 29th Congressional District.

The House Ethics Committee has been told of allegations that Massa sexually harassed a male staffer.

The New York Daily News reported fellow Democrats bemoaning that "Massa pulled a Foley on us" (recalling Mark Foley's page scandal).

The Hornell Evening Tribune and the Elmira Star-Gazette reported that Hornell Mayor Shawn Hogan has been asked by Congressman Eric Massa to replace him as the 29th Congressional District representative.

Politico:  Another Pol Falls In New York

Village Voice: Eric Massa to Retire, Pleading Health, "Salty Language," Not Sexual Harassment

Talking Points Memo: Getting Strange

The Hill:  Massa: Cancer is reason for retirement, not 'salty language'

Republicans are mentioning Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks for the 29th, rather than Tom Reed who presently has his name out there.

The 29th was a close call that Republicans want back badly, so Massa's departure also comes amid what was sizing up to be a take back seat.

But it is getting strange.

Scandals seem to be dropping from the sky everyday.

Primary Forced In New York's 40th: Divisive Contest For Statewide Republicans

There has been a strong response from both sides to the following story:

News Copy heard last week from a highly-placed Republican consultant that Southeast's Jim Borkowski was being contemplated as a candidate for the 40th State Senate District, in ghoulish anticipation that Greg Ball was going to "blow up" like a Monty Python skit.

16 tons won't be falling on Ball's head.  The "scandal" is a contrived story devised by Team Borkowski and Team Hayworth (Nan Hayworth).  It's also a residual rumor left over by the hearsay and slander spread by Team Stephens (Willis Stephens) -- with others claiming, perhaps incorrectly, that all these lies about Ball are also coming from Team Leibell (State Senator Vincent Leibell).

Welcome to New York, where dirty laundry is manufactured without a conscience.

The bottom line is that Borkowski is also reported by political operatives in Yorktown to be departing his Assembly ambitions -- and now wants to start a divisive primary against Greg Ball.  Keep in mind that Leibell hasn't officially left this race yet.  He's still the incumbent State Senator but it has been repeated that he has long been looking to run for Putnam County Executive.

Ball also has twice the amount of money raised than Leibell.

Ball has survived two difficult primaries to remain in the Assembly, first challenging incumbent Willis Stephens and then facing a divisive primary against a Democrat who ran as a Republican.  His numbers in both races were extraordinary and he survived Page Six level slander being leveled at him (politics is a contact sport, right?).

Borkowski runs at cross-purposes to State Senate Republicans, who desperately want to retain Leibell's seat swithout much difficulty.

Leibell is expected to depart for the county executive race but Borkowski's handlers seem obsessed with running another spiteful race to hurt Ball.  The problem is that Borkowski could destroy the State GOP's chances to beat back Democrat Michael Kaplowitz, potentially costing Republicans the State Senate Majority.

Borkowski's backers are close to Willis Stephen, as is Borkowski (who worked with Stephens as an attorney), so this is political vengeance served on a very cold dish.

It's also counter-productive internecine nonsense.

Complicating the primary are the lies being circulated by the campaigns of Borkowski and Nan Hayworth that Greg Ball is hiding some politically fatal scandal that will "blow him up" before Election Day.

Many people are getting tired of the naysaying.  It doesn't help Republicans.  It doesn't help how people feel about politicians in New York.  News Copy has been one of those whipping boys victimized by lies within the GOP sphere of influence.  We empathize with how Ball and others feel.  Joe DioGuardi and Rob Astorino have endured the same liberal naysayers trying to bury them.

Maybe it's time for some politicos to just grow up.  A little respect for political contemporaries might go a long way to helping Republicans win in November,

News Copy won't be surprised if both State GOP Chairman Ed Cox and State Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos step into this primary and advise the Republicans bad-mouthing Ball to quit their petulant whining. 

Ball has the support of all three county chairs.  Despite his sudden departure from race against Congressman John Hall, the young maverick hasn't lost a step going door to door and reaching people.  As usual, his website is cutting edge and his focus now is on state issues that are on people's minds.

Greg Ball is a proven winner, and he has the backing of Putnam County GOP Chairman Tony Scannapieco.  Republicans in the State Senate want a reliable race in the 40th, so any reality to the fiction about Ball would have been vetted out months ago.

Meanwhile, Westchester Republicans relied directly on operatives from Ball's camp to help Bob Castelli win a special election -- taking back the 89th Assembly District for the first time in 17 years.  Ball's success in Northern Westchester preceded that County GOP's steady political comeback by four years.  Albany has certainly noted his progress, the same way the NRCC still wishes he was back in the Congressional race.

The problem for arch-conservative Ball will be securing the Conservative and Independence lines, a political machination that sources are telling News Copy could take a lot of diplomacy.  Finally, Ball's fundraising might take a hit over donors who already gave to him for the 19th -- but he's cultivated a loyal grass-roots base.

Ball wouldn't be the first Republican who ran against the establishment for a State Senate seat -- and as the Tom Dadey and now Andrew Russo races have demonstrated -- he won't be the last around New York State.

Charlie Rangel Gives Up Ways And Means Before Congress Removes Him: Re-election In Doubt

The Atlantic explained why Congressman Charles Rangel had to step down as chairman of the Ways and Means committee.

Democrats were going to humiliate him.

The New York Daily News reported Manhattan Democrats opening questioning the chances of Rangel running for re-election.

Irony of ironies; Adam Clayton Powell could run for the seat his father, Adam Clayton Powell, had lost to Rangel in 1970 amid similiar controversies.

Rangel won't be exiling himself to some warm water port though.  He's the poster child for bad behavior in Congress -- and Democrats don't know where to hide him.

Ed Morrissey of Hot Air observes that Rangel refuses to ackowledge that his depature has anything to do with any wrongdoing -- and wonders if the Manhattan powerbroker will just slide right back into power.

A "leave of absence" is code for ... I'm still in charge.

Charlie Rangel is as proud as he is capable of smiling affably as he pulls a political sleight of hand.

Is he gone from chairing Ways and Means or feigning this departure?

Jay Bookman of the Atlanta Journal Constitution noted thatthe Ethics committee let everyone else walk away unscathed.

"Rangel’s departure, should it come, will be cited as evidence of a new attitude toward ethics in Congress. I’m not buying it. Last week’s unanimous vote of the House Ethics Committee to clear seven of their colleagues in an earmarks-for-contributions scandal made it quite clear that the old standards — or lack of them — are still at work."

The Washington Post said that Rangel's temporary leave needs to be permanent.

Rangel has no cover in D.C. or Albany and the White House is silent.

The Village Voice even sounded ready to stick the fork in Rangel.

"Rangel said he'd offered to step down "from the very beginning," but did not say whether he meant the beginning of the Carib investigation, or those of his real estate holdings or of his personal finances, both of which are still pending."

Pete Stark from California will now be the new whipping boy, chairman of Ways and Means.

Polls "R" Us - Wednesday, March 3rd: No More California Dreamin' - Voters Want Spending Cuts, Not Tax Increases

In California, a Field Poll found that 50% of voters favor that the state's deficit be closed either entirely or mostly through spending cuts.

Just 13% favor doing so solely or mostly through tax increases.

Another 29% favor an equal mix of spending cuts and tax hikes.

The San Francisco Chronicle noted that voter sentiment remains set on spending cuts to reduce a $19 billion shortfall -- even after lawmakers deeply cut state services last year to address nearly $60 billion in deficits.

California's continued fiscal crisis should be viewed by New York lawmakers as an example of things to come across the Empire State.

The Orange County Register should be regular reading for anyone running for elected office in New York.

The OC Register noted how Field pollsters discovered another obvious fact:

Nearly two-thirds of registered voters (63 percent) "don't feel the state government responds to the needs of people like them."

Sound familiar?

"If government quit draining economic life blood in excess taxes and quit meddling in the private sector's affairs, economic recovery would be sooner and smoother. Instead, even in the face of public opposition, government arrogantly looks for creative new ways to part Californians from their money and for presumptuous schemes to show businesses how to do business."

While we're California dreamin', a close look at that state's gubernatorial contest shows Democrat Jerry Brown holding competitive numbers against Republican Meg Whitman.

Rasmussen Reports has the Brown/Whitman race at a tie, 43-43%.

Jerry Brown is in a hard-to-categorize demographic that just happens to be rebellious enough of the current political establishment to soften what otherwise would be a liberal anchor to the bottom of a deep blue political sea.

Broadcasting his announcement to run for governor from his campaign website, as if he was beaming down from the mothership, Brown played up his populist persona.

 

Los Angeles Times headline: Jerry Brown says he offers 'insider's knowledge' and an 'outsider's mind'

"Some people say that if you've been around the process, you can't handle the job, that we need to go out and find an outsider who knows virtually nothing about state government," said Brown, who has also been California secretary of state and Oakland mayor. "Well, we tried that, and it doesn't work. We found out that not knowing is not good."

The obvious play on voters' frustration with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has diminishing returns.

Whitman's campaign immediately countered with a "Voter's Guide to Jerry Brown" with alist of "fiscal failures" from his record on taxes and spending.

In a statement, she contrasted her private-sector experience with Brown's "40-year career in politics which has resulted in a trail of failed experiments, undelivered promises, big government spending and higher taxes."

Meanwhile, columnist George Will noted California Republicans locked in a struggle of their own between the left and the right.

"Conservatives everywhere were dispirited by the Bush administration; California conservatives are doubly demoralized as the failed Schwarzenegger experiment expires."

The right appears to be winning, though there also seems to be an uber-tech executive tug-of-war for media attention between Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina.

Polling shows Fiorina on the outside looking in against Tom Campbell and Chuck DeVore.

George Will explained how the independent vote may give longshot DeVore (6%) the nomination.

"California's electorate is about 45 percent Democratic, 31 percent Republican, 20 percent "decline to state" and about 5 percent affiliated with minor parties. The June primary will be open to Republicans and "decline to states," but probably about 15 percent of those unaffiliated voters who will participate in the primary will request Republican ballots. So, incandescent conservatives among California's 5.2 million Republicans are apt to determine the Senate nominee. The most conservative candidate is DeVore, 47, an aerospace executive and lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve."

Not too different from New York's Conservative and independent vote, without the Conservative line.

How many in New York would vote in a statewide Republican primary, if allowed?

Given California's fiscal debacle, the liberal dreaming is over and conservatives (with independents) are perhaps about to seize that day.

Imagine if that happened in New York?

Actually, it almost did when Herb London received nearly a quarter of the vote for governor 1990 and almost sent the Republican Party to third-party status.  It was against a liberal governor, Mario Cuomo, during the shockwave of the Bush tax increases and New York's lowly economics gave heart to some independent alternative.

It happened in 1970 too with Jim Buckley's run for U.S. Senate and nearly happened last year in the 23rd Congressional with Doug Hoffman.

Conservatives weren't dreaming but Dede Scozzafava sure was ...

New York 19th Drawing More Candidates: Andrew Saul Out As Di Carlo Drops In

Neil Di Carlo is officially in, having filed with the FEC.

Andrew Saul's long-speculated run in the 19th Congressional District will not happen.  News Copy had confirmation last night of Saul's choice not to run and the MTA official has circulated the word to county chairs.  Saul's ability to self-finance and his respect among Westchester Republicans would have given him immediate credibility.  The story circulating now is that Saul could be the Republican's Lieutenant Governor candidate.

Enter Neil Di Carlo, pro-life and plain-speaking on tea party issues.

"The reason you haven’t heard of Neil Di Carlo until now is quite simple. He isn’t a politician."

Di Carlo has a website, a message, a catchy design and religious conservative stands on social issues that should satisfy social and fiscal conservatives throughout this five-county district.  The 19th does have a strong Catholic, Protestant and Evangelical base of voters.

However, an overt religious conservative message could be dissonant with the libertarian bent of many tea party activists in the 19th.  There are some doubts that a religious-right approach is the way to go.

It's still refreshing to see a candidate take a firm stand on social and fiscal issues -- and not be shy about who he is ...

News Copy sat down with Di Carlo last month at The New York State Conservative Party's Political Action Conference.  Di Carlo's common sense business sense was impressive.  He's truly not a politician.

By the way, Yorktown's Tom DeChiaro might still be in the race.  But the Yorktown winery owner has no campaign in place.  DeChiaro is reported to have good D.C. ties.  He is also the only candidate to articulate a pro-life stance in the newspapers.  This is no surprise since DeChiaro is a professor at Catholic University.

Primary Picture Emerges

Di Carlo will dent Nan Hayworth's Republican base and motivate Conservatives.  Meanwhile, Hayworth was just endorsed by Southeast's Republican chair -- Di Carlo's backyard in Putnam County.  Di Carlo also has to get a move on raising money but his resume indicates an ability to raise enough to at least get him through a primary.

With David McFadden announcing on Saturday (last week's snowstorm delayed McFadden's formal announcement) and a second candidate out of Orange reported to be days away from announcing an aggressive exploratory committee, Hayworth could find herself in a competitive primary before March 15th.

Nan remains silent about the Mount Kisco Medical Group, where her husband, Dr. Scott Hayworth is CEO.  Evidence is now mounting about abortions being performed there, though pro-life leaders have not yet gone on the record characterizing it as an abortion clinic.  Hayworth continues to accumulate local endorsements but county chairs are reportedly still waiting for a better candidate to enter the race..

No other candidate in the 19th has Hayworth's endorsements or money.  No other candidate in the 19th has Hayworth's debts or drawbacks to securing the Conservative line either.

Paterson Could Resign By Friday: State Police Superintendent Resigns

There are whispers in the State capitol that New York State Governor David Paterson could be gone by the end of the week.

Our source is close to seats of power in both major parties.

Enter Richard Ravitch?

Capitol Confidential reported tonight on the resignation of State Police Superintendent Harry Corbitt,

Apparently, the exit of Corbitt leaves Paterson in the investigation's line of fire.

Rick Lazio said that if the charges against Paterson are true, he has to resign.

It's only "rumors" now but News Copy was told by an Albany lobbyist close to Democrats today that Paterson is done.

Kirsten Gillibrand, who owes her U.S. Senate seat to Paterson, has now called for his resignation.

The Huffington Post noted New York's resignation watch and what could be a Richard Ravitch problem.

"... He never ran on the gubernatorial ticket, having been appointed to the post of lieutenant governor by Paterson. And while that appointment was affirmed by the Court of Appeals in the State of New York -- and would, ostensibly, be re-affirmed if challenged further -- it isn't far-fetched to assume that Republicans will attack him as illegitimate."

It's not far-fetched that fellow Democrats will attack Ravitch as illegitimate, since the legal end-run to keep either State Senate President Pro Tem Malcolm Smith or State Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada from being the next governor was as much a Republican machination.

Ravitch's authority could be challenged.

Betting pool on Paterson's exit?

Monday afternoon.

Healthcare Vote Could Make Or Break Republicans With Tea Parties: Reconciliation Needs 216 Votes In House

David Brooks and Mark Sheilds debate the merits and demerits of reconciliation.

President Obama compares healthcare insurance to shopping at Walmart and then threatens reconciliation.

MSNBC reported that 9 Democrats who voted against the healthcare package may switch their votes in favor.

The House version of health care passed 220-215 in November, with 39 Democrats voting against it.    However, since November, defections, resignations and a death have taken away yes votes.  216 votes would be needed for Pelosi to approve the Senate-passed version.

The Return Of Jerry Brown: California's Comeback Kid Arrives In Time For Tea

California Governor Jerry Brown again?

He is announcing a statewide run sometime today.

Jerry Brown's liberalism used to nauseate Republicans so much that his pop politics and granola-crunching approach to the universe always seemed to be a joke.

Not anymore.

Then again, this is a different Jerry Brown ... well, maybe.

After tackling the city of Oakland as its mayor and re-ascending as State Attorney General, there is something about Jerry Brown at 71 that comes across as conventional.

CNN reported that Brown will announce a run for governor of California today.

This is a much different Jerry Brown who ran for President, U.S. Senate and served as governor until 1983.

After two terms as mayor of Oakland and now as Attorney General, Brown's political pedigree is varied enough to make this comeback believeable.

Also, Brown always was a populist -- and become a more defined populist over the past ten years.  His choice to return to the other city by the bay lent a more practical and, at times, even conservative face to the liberal who departed from establishment politics in disgust in the 1980s.

Already ahead in the polls, having amassed a war chest of $12 million and looking comfortable in his skin as a 71 year old.  Not bad for a fellow who first won a California gubernatorial race in 1974 at the age of 36.

This run for elected office is bound to fascinate and intrigue both the media and voters, especially if he can connect with tea party members.

Can anyone imagine Jerry Brown not relating to tea party activists?

CNN reported a recent poll from the Public Policy Institute showing the former governor leading his most formidable GOP rival Meg Whitman by about five points, while an more recent Rasmussen poll showed them tied with 43 percent of the vote each. 

Why Harold Ford Is Not Running: Liberal Democrats Gorge Themselves On Hubris

He will be missed but Harold Ford will be back. 

It was the smart move, departing from the U.S. Senate race.

The State GOP wishes he had stayed in the race.

Let the liberal Democrats gorge themselves on their power.  Live to fight another day.

An Op-Ed in The New York Times is not enough but Harold Ford knows what's coming.

"... As I traveled around New York, I began to understand why the party bosses felt the need to use such heavy-handed tactics: They’re nervous. New Yorkers are clamoring for change. Our political system — so bogged down in partisan fighting — is sapping the morale of New Yorkers and preventing government at every level from fulfilling its duty."

Overnight, Mr. Ford has removed himself from the political line of fire, established himself as an outsider and let the bullies box with their own shadows.

"These are tough times, and the New Yorkers I have met are facing economic adversity with grace and dignity. They worry about their future, care about their neighbors and hope this storm will pass so they can focus on better days ahead. And yet too few in the Democratic Party are really willing to break with orthodoxy to meet these challenges. We need leaders as good as the people they represent — leaders focused on creating jobs, keeping taxes low, helping small businesses and restoring faith in government."

Gosh ... he sounds like a ... Republican.

But he's not, admitting party loyalty (Tom Suozzi has the same partisan attachment).

I can't wait to see what Harold Ford does next.

The Albany Times Union blog, New York on the Potomac, has a poll on why Ford chose not to run for U.S. Senate against Kirsten Gillibrand.

New York's Scandals Overshadow Budget Crisis: Without Any Distractions, Are Democrats Better Off?

Going back to the column by Josh Kurtz in Congressional Quarterly Politics, the headline "Race, Politics and Troubles in New York" infers something that should not fall so hard on the shoulders of any single politician or any particular demographic group.

Why not start by mentioning New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, particularly since he now has near-dictatorial control of the budget process?

How about discussing Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch, who Democrats will summon to replace a "lame duck" governor -- and whose last "great" initiative was crafting the notorious Metro-North payroll tax?

"With Paterson gone, state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is almost certain to be elected governor, and the Democrats retain an even chance of keeping control of the state Senate, just before the redistricting process begins. And eight potentially vulnerable Democratic congressmen — Michael Arcuri , Timothy Bishop, John Hall , Dan Maffei , Eric Massa , Michael E. McMahon , Scott Murphy and Bill Owens — can fight through a tough cycle without the additional distraction of having to account for Paterson’s erratic behavior."

First, why make David Paterson the fall guy for over 40 years of liberal Democrats wasting tax dollars (and more than a few Rockefeller Republicans joining in)?

Second, Democrats have continued to lose elections in New York since last November and through last month's special elections.

Third, does Andrew Cuomo winning so easily ensure a statewide landslide for everyone else or a more sleepy turnout by Democrats?

Fourth, Democrats hold a narrow one vote lead in the State Senate -- with much bickering within their own caucus -- and a persuasive case could be made that Republicans could regain control by margin of 4-6 Republican lawmakers.

Finally, since when are eight vulnerable incumbent Democrats looking to head back to D.C. suddenly safer because David Paterson cried "uncle" after the "gray lady" (The New York Times( made an in-kind contribution to Andrew Cuomo's gubernatorial campaign with an overtly (and annoyingly) telegraphed "hit" piece?

Who's next?

Also, can we stop blaming the Executive Chamber for dysfunctional problems within our State legislature?

"... It’s fair to say that both Spitzer and Paterson have done incalculable harm to the cause of political reform in the state. And Cuomo, while possessing many admirable qualities, is no reformer."

Cuomo's push for locally approved consolidation, by referendum, was viewed with such enthusiasm by reformers that it earned him an acknowledgment by the New York State Conservative Party and an invite to that party's annual political action conference.

Re-reading the article a few times, not one mention of Sheldon Silver came up (or Joe Bruno).  How about the many years of incalculable harm by "three men in a room" whose machinations always started in the same place?

Is it so hard for journalists covering New York State to grasp how government works in our legislature -- or is it just easier to make the executive the fall guy?

Is it that the New York State Assembly and State Senate has been taken for granted as an elected body of lawmakers?

Maybe it is too much like Congress.

Maybe they all have to be shown the door on Election Day. 

While the article discusses black empowerment, how about empowering reformers running for the Assembly to replace nearly two generations of political lemmings encompassing every race, creed and color?

How about discussing people empowerment, participatory government, initiative and referenda, a more open (and realistic) bill creation process and a complete overhaul of the rules in New York's legislature?

Finally, how about first finding someone who can count?

Charlie Rangel Uses His Last "Get Out Of Jail Free" Card: New York Democrat Faces Removal As Committee Chair

New York Congressman Charles Rangel faces possible removal as chairman of the powerful Ways and Means committee, Politico reported.

After last week's "admonishment" by the House ethics committee, Rangel can't take the hint and resign.

The GOP resolution will call for the Manhattan lawmaker to release his tax returns.

Times Editorial:

Relieve the Chairman of His Gavel

The fat (gray) lady has sung.

The National Legal and Policy Center had photos of Rangel's tropical junket.

Go to Congress.  Get free passage to the Caribbean.  Everyone else pays cash.

Take a close look at the photos.  Charlie must forgotten to bring his glasses.

Congressional Quarterly (CQ) used the "race" word to characterize the troubles in New York.

It's unfair to generalize that Governor David Paterson, Congressman Gregory Meeks, former Congressman Floyd Flake, State Senate President Pro Tem Malcolm Smith and now Chairman Rangel all have something in common -- except that they are all suspected of unethical activity.   One race has no monopoly on corruption in New York.

CQ lamented Rangel's fall from grace.

"As the drip, drip, drip of ethical questions pools as high as Rangel’s chest, it is a sad time for the congressman and his legion of admirers, at home and on Capitol Hill. Rangel may or may not retain his gavel at the Ways and Means Committee. He may or may not be able to limp to re-election this fall. But his reputation is forever damaged, his ability to be a major player in the final days of the health care overhaul debate, gone."

Self-inflicted wounds.  This has been drawn and quartered for 18 months.

Meanwhile, Nobel Laureate and liberal logician Paul Krugman found himelf all by himself on ABC's "This Week In Washington" this past Sunday -- in making the case that Rangel hasn't really done anything wrong (video and transcript comes courtesy of Newsbusters).

"I'm unhappy with this," he said. "I wish Rangel would go away, but it's, it really has no national significance."

 Of course, this is the same "genius" who is regularly unhappy that Congress hasn't spent more money and raised taxes to cure America of its recession.

As The New York Times observed, Rangel's usual strategy to berate his contemporaries and distract away from any wrongdoing points to a deeper problem. 

"The moment was characteristic of Mr. Rangel’s arrogance throughout the investigation, which continues into more serious allegations about his official behavior."

On ABC's "This Week In Washington" Roundtable, there was disgust for Rangel's lack of accountability.

The New York Post called Congressman Rangel "Charlie the coward" for passing the blame for a "quid pro quo" off to his staff. 

"... What other term is appropriate when a 79-year-old political veteran, the dean of the New York delegation and chairman of one of the most powerful panels on Capitol Hill, ducks responsibility for a pretty obvious personal ethical lapse by throwing his staff under the bus?"

The Post reported Rangel pretending to have no knowledge that corporations paid up to $50,000 for five members of the Black Congressional to attend a sun-drenched lobbying junket in a lavish Caribbean setting.

Pamela Geller of the Atlas Shrugs had more details on what the Chicago Tribune called "The Rangel Swamp" -- and had video of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi trying to wish it all away.

Geller pulled no punches as she noted how rare it us when the fourth estate -- from the right to the left -- reads the riot act to a Democrat.

"It's not enough to oust a thief, a tax cheat, and racketeer from public office and all committee seats and chairs. Any public official who abuses his offices, breaks the law, and violates the public trust should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Rangel must go to jail. Ripping off the public must be punished as harshly as the law allows, to discourage thieves, pigs, scoundrels, commies from running."

The Chicago Tribune explained that it is simple enough why Rangel can't be believed.

"You would have thought the signs and materials from Citigroup, Pfizer, American Airlines, AT&T, Verizon, Macy's and IBM plastered around the 2008 conference in St. Maarten would have provided a clue that corporate money was involved. But apparently Rangel was clueless. His response to the ethics committee's admonishment? He criticized the committee and blamed his staff. "Common sense dictates that members of Congress should not be held responsible for what could be the wrongdoing or mistakes or errors of staff," he said. What a stand-up guy."

The Washington Post said the resolution to have Rangel removed as chairman of Ways and Means will fail because "most of the chamber's 254 Democrats are not yet ready to dump Rangel."

... But the number of Democratic defections could affect how Pelosi and other party leaders evaluate the controversy, which has being going on for more than 18 months. One top party aide said there was "growing unrest" among members of Congress elected in 2006 and 2008, many of whom ran on anti-corruption platforms.

The Chicago Tribune further noted the "glacial" pace his contemporaries in Congress took investigating far more serious charges:

"... His belated financial disclosure of up to $1 million in financial assets, tens of thousands of dollars in municipal bonds and up to $100,000 in rent from a New York apartment building; using his congressional letterhead to solicit money for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service at the City College of New York; and illegally turning one of his four rent-controlled apartments in New York into a campaign office."

The Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service?

Not bad for the man who desposed the last emperor of Harlem, Adam Clayton Powell.

New York State Government In Denial: Looking To California For The Next Episode

The Orange County Register provided this editorial about California entitled, State Of Government In Denial.

It could be mistaken for New York.

Do we learn from California's mistakes and fiscal misery -- or do New York State lawmakers secretly have a sado-masochistic edge about fiscal chaos?

New York is about to get worse than California.

"We're watching to see what the size of the deficit will be this spring," Democratic Assembly Speaker Karen Bass said. "Once we know what the number is, we can make more informed choices about how to fill that hole by doing the least amount of harm possible."

Keep in mind that such rhetoric is coming from California's State legislature, not New York.

It also came  after California had alreayd been slammed with a projected $19.8 billion budget shortfall, after a year of fiscal problems and a belief that their state's economy will get better.

New York's fiscal woes haven't started.

New York is already hosting a projected $20 billion plus deficit (not including off-budget public authorities), a year of warnings about pension shortfalls and no sign of the state's economy getting any better.

Want to trade state budgets?

As if New York's budget debacle could get anymore surreal, Democrats are already lobbying to push the state's fiscal year from April 1 to June -- as if that's going to make things better?

Don't forget that Governor Paterson is already articulating that New Yorkers perhaps shouldn't get their tax refunds right away ...

... The Legislative Gazette noted that a lot of special interests will be expecting their money from the next State budget, and rationalizing for all kinds of new taxes.

Ron Deutsch, executive director of New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness, says the budget could be less damaging to the economy if the governor considered the alternatives offered by the better choice campaign.
 
"We need to remember the economic argument. By making these cuts, you're driving up the numbers of those losing jobs and hurting the services those people need," said Deutsch.

In California, there have been a lot of fiscal rainy days this past year.

"Of course, a more prudent way to approach this would be to make necessary cuts today so those relying on the money have time to adjust for tomorrow. If conditions improve, funding could be restored, or bonded debt paid down or even a rainy day reserve added for the next crisis."

Call it California's year of saying "no" but it still doesn't compare to New York's budgetary tsunami.

New York's fiscally tropical climate has been with us for nearly 50 years.  The argument could be made that New York does a slicker job of hiding its off-budget debt.  New York's lawmakers also have no shame about raising taxes.

Does the following sound like California or New York?

"The governor's proposed budget once again is based on accounting gimmicks and hoped-for billions from Washington unlikely to materialize. Meanwhile, the Legislature's unwillingness to make necessary spending cuts and political obstacles to ramming through substantial new taxes will bring lawmakers to a familiar place as summer nears. They are likely to face another multi-billion deficit and miss another constitutional deadline on June 30 for adopting a balanced budget."

Should the Legislative Correspondents Association (LCA) just hold the Orange County Register's editorial for next year's round of budget stories?

The argument for "new" taxes, such as the Metro-North Payroll Tax, for example, has mobilized small business owners and employers throughout lower New York State.

There is only a willingness on the part of most Democrats in Albany to ram through substantial new taxes this year, next year, the year after that and the years after that ...

...  New York in denial?  How about New York in delusion?

Some Republicans Digging In For Fight On Jobs Bill: Bunning Battling Reid On Extending Unemployment Benefits

Kentucky U.S. Senator Jim Bunning, a Republican once known for spotting his pitches flawlessly as a major league baseball player, now is crossing swords with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on extending unemployment benefits.

ABC News -- like most of the mainstream media -- will try to frame Bunning as the bad guy, even a short-tempered bad guy as this video shows, but the Republican's filibuster has people talking.

The Huffington Post headline: Bunning Objects TO Extending Unemployment Insurance AGAIN misses the point.

There is a line in the sand that conservative reformers and Tea Party activists want respected.  It was Scott Brown who missed that point last week.  Bunning at least knows a sneaky bit of budget appropriation when he sees it.

The Hill noted that "top" Democats are looking to "shame" the retiring Bunning over being the last angry man refusing to allow the usual budget chicanery in Congress.

Bunning first wants to know where the money is coming from.  Second, he wants it taken out of stimulus monies.

Daily Kos had this video of Bunning crossing swords with Democrats on the floor of the U.S. Senate.

Bunning looks like he's having.  So are a lot of Americans watching him.

White House officials already are using Department of Transportation (DOT) surrogates to scold Bunning for stopping important construction projects around the country, CNN reported.

It's clear that Bunning won't be blinking anytime soon.

Sadly, FOX News explained that Harry Reid will just go right around the smaller temporary $10 billion bill Bunning is filibustering by presenting a much-larger $100 billlion version.

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